# DraftCode for PHP IDE vs php$

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: php$ at none against DraftCode for PHP IDE's 6. php$ also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 66%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). DraftCode for PHP IDE's advantage is ratings volume (88 vs 9). On update cadence, ads and chart position there is nothing between them.

DraftCode for PHP IDE costs $4.99 and php$ $2.99 up front. DraftCode for PHP IDE sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. php$ asks for nothing beyond the download.

php$ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DraftCode for PHP IDE has 88 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of DraftCode for PHP IDE's written reviews are positive against 88% of php$'s.

DraftCode for PHP IDE ships an update every 3 months, php$ every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DraftCode for PHP IDE | php$ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$2.99** |
| Rating | [4.5 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/draftcode-for-php-ide/id593757593/reviews) | **[4.8 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/php-programming-language/id845986938/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **88** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 65.8% of reviews | **87.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#62** | #123 |
| Size | 184 MB | 89 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Solesignal Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/402984346) | [小文 黄](https://appshunter.io/developer/490328393) |

## What reviewers say

### DraftCode for PHP IDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/draftcode-for-php-ide/id593757593)

**Currently charting:** #62 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Develop and run PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS locally on your mobile device or Mac without an internet connection. Supports complex applications like WordPress and phpMyAdmin, with flexible workspace options and a comprehensive PHP stack.

**Highlights:** Offline PHP, JS, HTML, CSS execution, Run complex apps like WordPress, Custom workspace folder support, Session Inspector and error display, PHP and JS syntax coloring, Composer support for dependency management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PHP 7.2 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 7.3 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 8.2 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 8.1 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 8.0.28 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 8.5 Runtime | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Full PHP runtime on iOS device
- 👍 Intuitive and simple user interface
- 💻 Ability to run WordPress locally on iPad
- 🔌 Works offline without internet connection
- 📱 Enables mobile web development workflow

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Scrolling snaps back to starting position
- 🐛 Undo function jumps arbitrary steps
- 🐛 Text editor lacks modern features
- ❌ Cannot access served content from Safari
- ❌ No FTP or cloud storage integration

**Reported bugs**

- Scrolling snaps back to original position
- Undo function deletes arbitrary number of steps
- App freezes after entering characters
- Crashes on iOS 9 and older versions
- JavaScript console viewer always empty

**Requested features**

- Search and find/replace functionality
- FTP and Dropbox integration
- Updated PHP versions
- Multiple syntax highlighting themes
- Git/GitHub integration


### php$

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/php-programming-language/id845986938)

**Currently charting:** #123 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Learn, run, and share PHP scripts with this iOS application. It offers code autocompletion, syntax highlighting, and a built-in browser for learning resources. Customize your coding environment and share your work via email or social media.

**Highlights:** Autocompletion and auto-indent, Code coloring and font customization, Built-in browser for learning materials, Save, modify, and delete code files, Support for various file types, Customizable interface and background, Generate QR codes for sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DraftCode for PHP IDE free?

DraftCode for PHP IDE costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is php$ free?

php$ costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, DraftCode for PHP IDE or php$?

php$ is rated higher. DraftCode for PHP IDE averages 4.5 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while php$ averages 4.8 from 9 ratings.

### Do DraftCode for PHP IDE or php$ have ads?

Neither DraftCode for PHP IDE nor php$ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DraftCode for PHP IDE or php$?

DraftCode for PHP IDE ships an update every 3 months, and php$ every 5 months. Most recently, DraftCode for PHP IDE was updated on October 8, 2026 and php$ on October 1, 2026.

### Which is more popular, DraftCode for PHP IDE or php$?

DraftCode for PHP IDE currently peaks at #62 in the App Store charts, and php$ at #123. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*